Syringe reuse has been linked to transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B. In 1999, WHO and UNICEF began to address the spread of bloodborne diseases through reuse of needles and syringes by recommending that auto-disable syringes be used for all immunizations. Since that time, auto-disable syringes have become widely accepted by the international healthcare community. Most recently, with products such as the BD SoloShot™ mini syringe for immunizations as well as the BD Emerald™ PRO syringe used for curative injections, BD has also aimed to incorporate environmental stewardship into the essence of reuse prevention. The BD Emerald™ Saf-T syringe offers environmental benefits while helping prevent accidental needlestick injuries.
BD has also been a strong advocate for policies and guidelines, such as the recent WHO guideline on the use of safety-engineered syringes for intramuscular, intradermal and subcutaneous injections in healthcare settings, which help protect healthcare workers and patients from the spread of disease.
BD devices have been used in some of the world's most critical vaccination campaigns: